Wicked City/Demon City Shinjuku (HMV Exclusive) 23.11.2020

[Bes30]

I also have the Perfect Collection DVD of Urotsukidoji 1 & 2.

I remember thinking that the 1st one was played as a pretty straight horror; the sexual violence wasn't eroticised. I think it has a decent chance of passing uncut over here, but I should probably dig it out and watch it again in case my memory is playing tricks on me. I thought it was a surprisingly good OAV (or are we saying OVA these days) actually.

Part 2 probably has more borderline sexual violence scenes which are arguably not entirely played for straight horror, though still not too bad due to a fantasy element and lack of detail. Still, I recall thinking it was a borderline one; possibly a few small snips would still be needed but it's hard to say. The OAV wasn't as good as its predecessor though, but still diverting.

Urotsukidoji 3 was horrendous though; I turned that one off half way through and sold it. The level of detail in one of the scenes of sexual violence (involving the daughter of the main baddie) was pornographic and the lurid emphasis on these details coupled the with the pain and suffering being lingered on was extremely disturbing. I had seen a very heavily cut version of it on the Sci Fi channel and found it interesting, but the uncut version is one to avoid; a loathsome, unwatchable work.

[kristoffer]

Very cool! Love me some classic anime!

[CZDK]

Originally Posted by Bes30

I also have the Perfect Collection DVD of Urotsukidoji 1 & 2.

I remember thinking that the 1st one was played as a pretty straight horror; the sexual violence wasn't eroticised. I think it has a decent chance of passing uncut over here, but I should probably dig it out and watch it again in case my memory is playing tricks on me. I thought it was a surprisingly good OAV (or are we saying OVA these days) actually.

Part 2 probably has more borderline sexual violence scenes which are arguably not entirely played for straight horror, though still not too bad due to a fantasy element and lack of detail. Still, I recall thinking it was a borderline one; possibly a few small snips would still be needed but it's hard to say. The OAV wasn't as good as its predecessor though, but still diverting.

Urotsukidoji 3 was horrendous though; I turned that one off half way through and sold it. The level of detail in one of the scenes of sexual violence (involving the daughter of the main baddie) was pornographic and the lurid emphasis on these details coupled the with the pain and suffering being lingered on was extremely disturbing. I had seen a very heavily cut version of it on the Sci Fi channel and found it interesting, but the uncut version is one to avoid; a loathsome, unwatchable work.

Thanks for the info. I will definitely avoid #3 (and possibly #2). The first one was the first anime I ever bought (on VHS back in the day) so I would be interested in seeing a blu-ray release of that at some point.

As for Wicked City/Demon City Shinjuku it looks like the kind of classic anime that I would enjoy!

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by CZDK

Thanks for the info. I will definitely avoid #3 (and possibly #2). The first one was the first anime I ever bought (on VHS back in the day) so I would be interested in seeing a blu-ray release of that at some point.

As for Wicked City/Demon City Shinjuku it looks like the kind of classic anime that I would enjoy!

Avoid part 4 as well, first episode was banned by the BBFC and the second the distributor shat a brick and never submitted. The final third episode was the only one put out in the UK and was heavily cut.

[Bes30]

Originally Posted by CZDK

Thanks for the info. I will definitely avoid #3 (and possibly #2). The first one was the first anime I ever bought (on VHS back in the day) so I would be interested in seeing a blu-ray release of that at some point.

As for Wicked City/Demon City Shinjuku it looks like the kind of classic anime that I would enjoy!

No problem. Glad to help, especially when it comes to warning against the likes of Urotsukidoji 3; I sat through it so you don't have to! Well, too much of it at any rate. I never bothered with part 4 after that but it sounds like more of the same, but perhaps even more depraved?

Wicked City is a classic; even my long time girlfriend really liked it. Demon City is also a lot of fun, though most agree that the ending is a bit anticlimactic.

[Bes30]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Avoid part 4 as well, first episode was banned by the BBFC and the second the distributor shat a brick and never submitted. The final third episode was the only one put out in the UK and was heavily cut.

There was also Adventure Kid (AKA. Adventure Duo) from the same creator. That suffered a lot of cuts over here as well of course. A very strange OAV that one; the tonal changes are schizophrenic. Another one that can't be recommended but was strangely compelling (or should that be compellingly strange?!) when I caught it on Sci-Fi channel late at night many moons ago. It also won't be passed uncut over here any time soon.

[Vintrus]

Well its not an hmv exclusive Amazon.co.uk is getting it. I just hope Zavvi does or it will be ebay for me.

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

Originally Posted by Vintrus

Well its not an hmv exclusive Amazon.co.uk is getting it. I just hope Zavvi does or it will be ebay for me.

HMV has an exclusive version that has a poster instead of the booklet and is cheaper. Otherwise, it appears to be identical.

[Eibon]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Avoid part 4 as well, first episode was banned by the BBFC and the second the distributor shat a brick and never submitted. The final third episode was the only one put out in the UK and was heavily cut.

I have that US Perfect Collection DVD too but I don't think I finished watching it all those years ago. I even have an unworn Urotsukidoji t-shirt for some reason.
I guess I should sell it, it doesn't sound like something I'd watch. As noted it's two parts comprised of 5 episodes across two discs. These problematic ones you mention were released later or are we referring to episodes 3 & 4 on that two disc set?

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by Eibon

I have that US Perfect Collection DVD too but I don't think I finished watching it all those years ago. I even have an unworn Urotsukidoji t-shirt for some reason.
I guess I should sell it, it doesn't sound like something I'd watch. As noted it's two parts comprised of 5 episodes across two discs. These problematic ones you mention were released later or are we referring to episodes 3 & 4 on that two disc set?

Urotsukidoji is broken down thus:
I: Legend of the Overfiend (3 episodes)
II: Legend of the Demon Womb (2 episodes)
III: Return of the Overfiend (4 episodes)
IV: Inferno Road (3 episodes)

The Perfect Collection is just I & II (which is all you need TBH).
IV is the one that was Banned, Unsubmitted, Heavily Cut in it's respective episodes in the UK.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

Would the BBFC still have a problem with the Urotskidoji films?

Hard to say, though I'd like to see a distributor at least try to submit the first two. Presumably Manga UK still have the rights? I've got the US BD of Legend of the Overfiend, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Apparently the scan was performed on a cropped and censored British theatrical print, and the violent material was struck from a shitty SD source.

[GhastlyGraham]

If Genocyber can finally get a somewhat reasonable release in the US (and sometime in the UK, if you go by the comments on Discotek), I don't see why Urotsukidoji wouldn't be able to somewhere down the line honestly. Maybe it's a pipe dream though.

But yes, Wicked City! Good fun all around and one of the greatest synth scores of all 80's anime.

[NormanicGrav]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Hard to say, though I'd like to see a distributor at least try to submit the first two. Presumably Manga UK still have the rights? I've got the US BD of Legend of the Overfiend, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Apparently the scan was performed on a cropped and censored British theatrical print, and the violent material was struck from a shitty SD source.

I can say at one point a BD of Overfiend was looked into but licensing was complex I believe so it's a no go. I know Media Blasters released it as an upscale of sorts, so a UK release honestly wouldn't look great especially with the cuts required.

I am still down for more classic anime to be brought back but it depends on demand I reckon. For instance if Cyber City Oedo 808 does really well for Anime Limited they could look into similar properties (and maybe even enter the Standard Definition on Blu-ray market for titles Discotek have done like Genocyber. I know Gundam SEED will be the first UK SD-BD Anime title but that might get delayed for various reasons).

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

I can say at one point a BD of Overfiend was looked into but licensing was complex I believe so it's a no go.

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

I am still down for more classic anime to be brought back but it depends on demand I reckon. For instance if Cyber City Oedo 808 does really well for Anime Limited they could look into similar properties (and maybe even enter the Standard Definition on Blu-ray market for titles Discotek have done like Genocyber. I know Gundam SEED will be the first UK SD-BD Anime title but that might get delayed for various reasons).

Wow, I didn’t know that this had been announced! Is there an estimated release date? Fingers crossed they manage to include the Manga UK VHS soundtrack.

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jonezzz...

Wow, I didn’t know that this had been announced! Is there an estimated release date? Fingers crossed they manage to include the Manga UK VHS soundtrack.

They're starting pre-orders for the 12 days of Christmas sale, and yes it includes the original Manga UK dub as well as a CD soundtrack iirc.

[NormanicGrav]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jonezzz...

Wow, I didn’t know that this had been announced! Is there an estimated release date? Fingers crossed they manage to include the Manga UK VHS soundtrack.

Slightly off-topic but here's the Oedo 808 contents:

[Show spoiler]- English dub (both versions)
- Japanese audio with English subtitles
- Rory McFarlane soundtrack included
- Rory McFarlane soundtrack CD also included
- 52-page booklet
- Extras including Japanese commentary and more
- MediaOCD who works with Discotek authored the release (Region B only).
- Transfer is an upscale but a solid one.

Cyber City Oedo 808 alongside Millennium Actress, Planetes and 8 others will be available for pre-order on Anime Limited's webstore as part of the 12 Days of Christmas sale (1st December to 12th December - the special offer will last 23 hours on one of those days, but it will still be available to pre-order afterwards and on other retailers but at a higher price). In terms of when it will be officially available, it'll be between December 2020 to February 2021.

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

Slightly off-topic but here's the Oedo 808 contents:

[Show spoiler]- English dub (both versions)
- Japanese audio with English subtitles
- Rory McFarlane soundtrack included
- Rory McFarlane soundtrack CD also included
- 52-page booklet
- Extras including Japanese commentary and more
- MediaOCD who works with Discotek authored the release (Region B only).
- Transfer is an upscale but a solid one.

Cyber City Oedo 808 alongside Millennium Actress, Planetes and 8 others will be available for pre-order on Anime Limited's webstore as part of the 12 Days of Christmas sale (1st December to 12th December - the special offer will last 23 hours on one of those days, but it will still be available to pre-order afterwards and on other retailers but at a higher price). In terms of when it will be officially available, it'll be between December 2020 to February 2021.

Oh wow, that’s awesome! Where do you guys hear about these upcoming releases? I did a search in the Anime section here, but couldn’t find much about it, just that it was being worked on.

[NormanicGrav]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jonezzz...

Oh wow, that’s awesome! Where do you guys hear about these upcoming releases? I did a search in the Anime section here, but couldn’t find much about it, just that it was being worked on.

Any UK release I always update from time to time on the 'Anime Blu-ray (UK Releases)' thread.

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

Originally Posted by NormanicGrav

Any UK release I always update from time to time on the 'Anime Blu-ray (UK Releases)' thread.

Cheers, thanks for that, I’ll have to keep an eye on that thread.